Rainbow & George (100 Strangers Project)

This is Rainbow and George. They were sitting outside my local pub enjoying the warm spring evening when I approached them and asked whether they'd be willing to participate in my 100 Strangers project. Being friendly types they readily agreed and invited me to join them. They had met at a big house party (3 levels of party with live bands that went all night) a while ago and were now meeting up at the Bricklayers Arms for some midweek drinks. Rainbow was familiar with the neighborhood as her band (sorta indie rock) had played a gig at a venue down the street. She plays the trumpet and the occasional tambourine, but admits percussion is not her bag (but jazz hands might be... sorry, had to work that in Rainbow).

George is a garden landscaper and designs everything from traditional English to Japanese gardens. He lives in Wood Green (North London) and claims it's a ghetto... though deferred to my hometown of Baltimore in terms of real ghetto-ness (the Wire is huge over here!). We got to chatting so much I almost forgot to take their portrait before the sun went down. As I was snapping some shots, their Irish-Mancunian mate Jason rolled out of the pub (or was asked to leave.. this is somewhat in dispute) and kicked off some drama. There were hugs, kisses and a show & tell about the pin that was recently removed from his broken but healing hand (due to some recent fisticuffs at the Roundhouse in Camden). Jason was actually a lot of fun and was getting everyone stirred up, friends and strangers alike. I've included a couple of shots of Jason in action in the post below.

I really enjoyed meeting the three of them and hope they had an excellent rest of their night! Thanks Rainbow, George and Jason!

This picture is #18 in my 100 Strangers Project, to see more of my project, please click here: Slightly Esoterik's 100 Strangers

To find out more about the 100 Strangers project and see pictures taken by other photographers click here: http://www.100strangers.com/

Shots of Jason in action...

Barnzley 17/100

This is Barnzley. I approached him while I was waiting for my pizza order to come up at Due Sardi's pizza parlor on Shoreditch High Street. The early evening light was fantastic and I wanted to make the most of it. Fortunately for me, Barnzley was happy to participate in my 100 Strangers project and we were able to catch the quickly dimming twilight before evening fully settled in. Barnzley runs his own clothing label and shop in Shoreditch with his friend and business partner Joe Corré. The store is called A Child of the Jago and it features mens' clothes that are made of top quality fabrics and stitching. The fashions are meant to be long lasting, not disposable flash in the pan trends. I have been in the store a few times before and remembered thinking the clothes had an heirloom-like quality to them... like when you find a cool dress shirt or jacket in your grandfather's closet that still wears well all these years later.

Barnzley and his two kids were getting ready to stop over at music legend Adam Ant's practice session ahead of Ant's gig at Scala next week. Barnzley helps Adam handle some of his business affairs and was in the middle of ironing out a few last minute venue wrinkles that had cropped up. All in all, it had been a tough week for Barnzley, as Malcolm McLaren, his business partner's father, had been put to rest after succumbing to a battle with mesothelioma. (For those unfamiliar with the illustrious Mr. McLaren or somehow missed the headlines over the past week or two, click on his name for more info). In his earlier years, Barnzley had worked for Malcolm McLaren running errands and doing odd jobs. It was pretty clear to me that he was feeling the loss that London and the music and fashion worlds had felt in losing such an icon.

Thanks for the chat Barnzley, was great to make your acquaintance. Hope you were able to get things sorted for Adam... I'm betting it will be a hell of a show!

This picture is #17 in my 100 Strangers Project, to see more of this project, please click here: Slightly Esoterik's 100 Strangers

To find out more about the 100 Strangers project and see pictures taken by other photographers click here: http://www.100strangers.com/

Barnzley & his kids

Katharine 16/100

Katharine 16/100, originally uploaded by Slightly Esoterik.

This is Katharine. She approached me as I was awkwardly fiddling with my vintage twin lens reflex camera in Piccadilly Circus. The camera was so odd to her that she just had to find out how it worked and why it was so strange in appearance. With her friendly and curious manner, I couldn't resist gushing about my new toy and the merits and challenges of film shooting.

We chatted for a while about my eccentric camera, my various photo projects and also about our respective home countries (she is originally from Canada, but has been living in London for close to twenty years). She teaches French at a school in southwest London, though she also has a hand in administration (her official title is Assistant Principal). At first when I mentioned taking her picture she was a bit shy, but after further explaining the 100 Strangers Project she was game. This is my first attempt at shooting a stranger with film. I really did miss the ability to instantaneously check my results as I do with my DSLR, especially since I am still acquainting myself with the Yashica and its manual only settings. I am pleased with the result, but I think that has more to do with Katharine's friendly smile than my novice grasp of the camera and film. Thanks Katharine, it was a pleasure meeting you!

Film: Fuji Velvia 100

This picture is #16 in my 100 Strangers Project, to see more of this project, please click here: Slightly Esoterik's 100 Strangers

My Street in London (Click on photo to see in full size)

home, originally uploaded by Slightly Esoterik.

1st roll of medium format film (cross processed)

1st roll of medium format film (cross processed), originally uploaded by Slightly Esoterik.

Photo of my 1st roll of 120 film shot on my Yashica 635 TLR. It was a roll of Fuji Provia 100 slide film cross processed as C-41 negative film. Will get around to posting proper scanned images soon.

London Good Ol Boys (never meanin' no harm)

London Good Ol Boys (never meanin' no harm), originally uploaded by Slightly Esoterik.

soloist

soloist, originally uploaded by Slightly Esoterik.

glorious hawk

Shoreditch Happy Hour vs. Blade Runner

Sunset on the Bosphorus - Istanbul

100 Strangers Project 15/100

This is Dave and Jake. They stopped me for directions while I was out picking up a late night kebab in my neighborhood. They were in London to watch their friend's band play a gig and were sampling some of London's prime nightlife. I recommended a bar up the street and accepted an invitation to join them for a pint. They were surprised that an American was a Shoreditch "local" and were curious to know if my hometown of Baltimore was anything like what is shown on the Wire. Jake laughed and said it could be worse, that he's from Nottingham and as a result he is forever fielding questions about bloody Robin Hood. They were curious about my camera and I let them take a few snaps. I told them about my 100 Strangers Project and promised to let them participate. The pints went down quickly and they were itching to hop around to some other clubs, so I walked them down to the latest hip spot and took my leave. But before shuffling off home to devour my long overdue kabab, I took the above shot of the two of them mugging for the camera. Hope the rest of their night was a blast; given their gregarious natures and senses of humor, I am sure it was. Cheers guys... thanks again for the pint!

This picture is #15 in my 100 Strangers Project, to see more of this project, please click here: Slightly Esoterik's 100 Strangers

To find out more about the 100 Strangers project and see pictures taken by other photographers click here: www.100Strangers.com

New Art at Cargo in Shoreditch

London City at Night

Tower 42 in London city. Love this passageway because it's a great mix of old and modern London.